Work vehicles

Abstract

In vegetable transplanting vehicles, when powered by an electric motor, switching each operation on and off using multiple operation switches resulted in malfunctions and poor usability. [Solution] The operating lever allows for four types of operations—work driving, planting, vehicle height adjustment, and high-speed driving—to be performed with a single lever by moving the lever and operating the grip portion of the lever.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanting work vehicle for agricultural use.

Background Art

[0002] There is a work vehicle that operates forward and backward travel, planting, and vehicle height adjustment with separate levers. (Patent Document 1)

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the prior art, there is a technique in which forward and backward travel is switched with the main clutch lever, vehicle height adjustment is performed with the vehicle height adjustment lever, and the planting operation is turned on and off with the planting lever, and each operation is performed by separate lever operations. However, since each operation is performed with a separate lever, the turning operation cannot be easily performed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a work vehicle that can easily perform a turning operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first invention is solved by the following technical means.

[0007] With the operation lever (71), four operations, namely, switching between forward and backward travel of the work vehicle (100), turning on and off the planting device (20), high-speed movement mode for only travel, and vehicle height adjustment, are performed with a single lever.

[0008] The second invention is solved by the following technical means.

[0009] The extension and retraction of the left and right electric cylinders 13L and 13R of the rear wheels causes the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R to rotate around the rear wheel rotation axis 11M, causing the vehicle height to rise. This rotational power is transmitted to links 18L and 17L, which rotate the left and right support bodies 14L and 14R, causing the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R to rotate around the front wheel axis 14M in the opposite direction to the rotation of the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R, and causing the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R to rise towards the ground.

[0010] The third invention is solved by the following technical means.

[0011] Below the left and right irrigation tank frames (60L and 60R), and within the space above the movable left and right case bodies (11L and 11R), auxiliary batteries (5L and 5R) are positioned symmetrically. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] Compared to the first invention, the main operations can be controlled with a single lever, making operation easier.

[0013] The second invention involves changing the position of the front and rear wheels during turns. By raising the front wheels so that they are tucked inside the vehicle, and then using the rear wheels to lift the vehicle, the overall length remains compact, making it easier to turn over ridges and move across levees in the field.

[0014] From the third invention, it is desirable to mount an auxiliary battery in an electric vehicle, but when lifting up and turning as in the second invention, it is inefficient to lift the auxiliary battery as well when turning. As in the present invention, by placing it above the left and right cases of the rear wheels, the weight burden during turning is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Perspective view from the left front of the work vehicle of the present invention [Figure 2] Enlarged perspective view of the lift-up mechanism for the work vehicle of the present invention. [Figure 3] Arrangement diagram of the operating lever in the operating section of the present invention [Figure 4]Operation diagram at the time of planting the operation lever in the operation unit of the present invention [Figure 5] Operation diagram of the operation lever during traveling in the operation unit of the present invention [Figure 6] Position relationship diagram of the front wheels and rear wheels during vehicle height adjustment in the present invention and another embodiment

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0017] The work vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 shows an example of this embodiment.

[0018] The work vehicle of the present invention is an agricultural transplant work vehicle having an electric motor as a drive source. The crops to be transplanted are vegetable seedlings, but there are also seedlings, vines, bulbs such as potato tubers, etc., and are not particularly limited.

[0019] In the market, due to environmental problems and the like, the development of electric vehicles is desired. However, batteries and electric motors for storing electric power are heavy, and their arrangement in the vehicle is important in terms of weight balance.

[0020] Also, since it is electric, it can be turned on and off with a switch, but the operation of turning on and off a plurality of switches has a high possibility of malfunction. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the operability by incorporating the on / off operation of the switch into the lever movement of the operation lever.

[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] The work vehicle 100 of the present invention includes a traveling vehicle body 1 that enables the machine body to travel forward, a steering handle 2 for walking operation provided at the rear of the traveling vehicle body 1, a planting device 20 for planting root vegetables such as potatoes and vegetable seedlings such as lettuce (hereinafter collectively referred to as seedlings) in the field, and a supply device 30 for supplying seedlings to the planting device 20.

[0023] The vehicle body 1 includes an electric motor 3, a battery 5 that supplies power to the electric motor 3, left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R that rotate using the driving force from a drive transmission case 6 that transmits the driving force of the electric motor 3 at a variable speed, a planting transmission case 8 that transmits the driving force at a variable speed to the planting device 20 and the supply device 30, and left and right front wheels 9L and 9R that are freely supported in front of the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R.

[0024] A main frame 10 is positioned behind the electric motor 3, and the front sections of the long, front-to-back running case bodies 11L and 11R are rotatably attached to the left and right sides of the main frame 10.

[0025] The left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R are mounted on the left and right axles that protrude from the rear sides of the left and right drive case bodies 11L and 11R.

[0026] The driving force from the electric motor 3 is transmitted to the left and right axles via the drive transmission case 6, causing the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R to rotate.

[0027] Furthermore, the left and right case bodies 11L and 11R are integrally attached to the mounting parts of the main frame 10, with the left and right arms 12L and 12R extending upward being attached together. The upper ends of each arm are connected to the tips of the piston rods of the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R, which are fixed to the main frame 10.

[0028] When the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R are activated and their piston rods protrude to the rear of the aircraft, the left and right arms 12L and 12R rotate to the rear, and consequently the left and right case bodies 11L and 11R rotate downward, causing the aircraft to rise. Conversely, when the piston rods of the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R move to the front of the aircraft and retract into the cylinders, the left and right arms 12L and 12R rotate to the front, and consequently the left and right case bodies 11L and 11R rotate upward, causing the aircraft to descend.

[0029] The left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R are operated by ground sensors that make contact with the ridge surface and operate in response to changes in the vertical distance between the machine and the ridge surface. The operation of the ground sensors detects the height of the ridge surface relative to the machine, and the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R are configured to operate based on the detection operation of the ground sensors so that the machine is at a set height relative to the height of the ridge surface.

[0030] Furthermore, the system is configured such that the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R are operated to raise or lower the work vehicle by rotating the grip portion 72 of the operating lever 71 located near the steering handle 2. This planting and lifting device is also configured to switch the drive of the planting device 20 and the supply device 30 on and off.

[0031] Furthermore, the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R operate independently, and move to keep the aircraft horizontal based on the detection results of left and right tilt sensors located in the center of the aircraft's left and right sides.

[0032] Furthermore, since the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R are located on the left and right sides of the machine body above the bases of the left and right case bodies 11L and 11R, space can be secured in the center of the vehicle body 1. In addition, since the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R are moved up and down by the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R respectively, the operating speed is increased and work efficiency is improved.

[0033] The left and right front wheels 9L and 9R are mounted on the left and right front axles, which are located at the lower ends of the left and right support bodies 14L and 14R, which are rotatably mounted on both sides of the main frame 10. Links 18L and 18R, which enable rotational drive of the left and right support bodies 14L and 14R, are joined to the outer circumference of the cylindrical shafts of the left and right support bodies 14L and 14R. By rotating the tip of these links, the left and right support bodies 14L and 14R can be easily rotated, and the position of the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R changes with rotation, thereby changing the distance between the front wheels of the work vehicle 100 and the ground.

[0034] Links 18L and 18R are connected to links 17L and 17R, and joined to the aforementioned left and right arms 12L and 12R. The links are configured to operate in accordance with the rotational movement of the left and right arms 12L and 12R.

[0035] Through the connection of this series of linkage mechanisms, the extension and retraction of the left and right rear wheel electric cylinders 13L and 13R causes the left and right case bodies 11L and 11R to rotate, while the left and right support bodies 14L and 14R rotate in the opposite direction.

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 show the positional relationship during planting. The positions of the left and right rear drive wheels 7L and 7R represent the lowest position relative to the ground at the rear of the work vehicle 100. Conversely, the positions of the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R represent the highest position relative to the ground at the front of the work vehicle 100.

[0037] The conditions for turning the work vehicle 100 in a field will be explained. Figure 3 is a magnified view of the operating section 70. By rotating the grip portion 72 of the lever 71 and operating the grip portion 72B to raise the vehicle height, the planting clutch of the transmission case 6 is disengaged, the planting device 20 and the supply device 30 are stopped at a predetermined position, and the left and right electric cylinders 13L and 13R of the rear wheels are activated to lower the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R to their lowest position, bringing the rear part of the work vehicle 100 in the direction of work travel to the highest position relative to the ground. At the same time, the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R are rotated to the rear in the direction of work travel in this embodiment, moving in the direction of lifting the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R, so that when turning at the end of a ridge, the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R do not hit the ridge, allowing for easy turning and preventing damage to the ridge.

[0038] In this way, a variety of operations can be performed with a single lever operation, allowing the operator to check information. For example, if the control unit 70 has a function to display a map on the display unit 76 and an image captured by the imaging device in front of the unit 77, then by turning at the position where these displays are combined, the operator can move to the desired position in a single turn without switching turns. In addition, the display unit also displays machine status data, making it easy to work while checking this data.

[0039] Taking these conditions into consideration, the work vehicle 100 moves with different ground-related distances for its front and rear wheels during turns, as shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), with the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R moving towards the rear in the direction of work.

[0040] If the left side of Figures 1 and 2 is considered the front, the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R rotate clockwise around the rear wheel rotation axis 11M, causing the vehicle height to rise. Furthermore, the extension and retraction of the left and right electric cylinders 13L and 13R transmits rotational power to links 18L and 17L, which in turn rotates the left and right support bodies 14L and 14R. This causes the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R to rotate counterclockwise around the front wheel axis 14M, resulting in the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R rising relative to the ground.

[0041] In this way, the extension and retraction of the left and right electric cylinders 13L and 13R of the rear wheels allows the front and rear wheels to move simultaneously, making it easy to turn with the left and right rear wheels in place. Performing this with electric cylinders makes it possible to instantly make precise adjustments to the front and rear wheels.

[0042] The planting device 20 includes a beak-shaped seedling planting body 21 with its tip pointing downward, an up-and-down movement mechanism 22 that moves the seedling planting body 21 up and down between a position where the lower end of the seedling planting body 21 is above the field surface and a position where it is below the field surface, and an opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the seedling planting body 21 into a closed state in which the lower end of the beak-shaped seedling planting body 21 is closed to receive seedlings from above and house the seedlings inside, and an open state in which the lower end of the seedling planting body 21 is opened to the left and right to release the seedlings housed inside downward.

[0043] The supply device 30 includes a plurality of seedling containers 31 that receive seedlings from above and house the seedlings inside, a movement mechanism that moves the seedling containers 31 in a circular motion so that they pass above the seedling planting body 21, and an opening mechanism that opens the bottom of the seedling containers 31 at a position above the seedling planting body 21, allowing the seedlings housed inside to fall and supply the seedlings to the seedling planting body 21. The planting device 20 has a four-row planting configuration with four seedling planting bodies 21 arranged in the left-right direction of the machine.

[0044] The opening and closing mechanism of the seedling planting body 21 is configured to open downwards when the seedling planting body 21 reaches the lower end position, in conjunction with the operation of the vertical movement mechanism 22, and to close the lower side of the seedling planting body 21 when the seedling planting body 21 reaches the upper end position, thereby closing it.

[0045] The supply device 30 has a configuration comprising: a plurality of seedling containers 31, each having a cylindrical body with an opening at the top and bottom and a bottom cover that opens and closes the lower opening of the cylindrical body, and being connected to each other in a loop like an endless chain; a movement mechanism that rotates the seedling containers 31 counterclockwise in an elongated oval loop-shaped trajectory that is long from left to right in a plan view of the machine, while passing near the top of the seedling planting body 21; an opening mechanism that opens the bottom cover of the seedling containers 31 at a position above the seedling planting body 21; and a cover body 32 that guides the inner circumference of the plurality of seedling containers 31 connected in a loop and covers the inner circumference. The cover body 32 has a shallow basin-like structure and can hold a large number of seedlings to be supplied to the seedling containers 31.

[0046] The opening mechanism of the supply device 30 is configured such that when the seedling container 31 passes above the seedling planting body 21, the bottom cover is released from the support and rotates downward, opening the bottom cover so that the seedlings inside the seedling container 31 can fall downward. The timing of the opening of the bottom cover of the seedling container 31 is adjusted so that it opens when the seedling planting body 21 rises to directly below the seedling container 31.

[0047] This transplanting machine has soil-covering wheels 50 that can freely rotate near the rear left and right sides of the seedling planting area of ​​the seedling planting unit 21, for compacting the soil over the seedlings planted by the planting unit 21.

[0048] Meanwhile, a drive rotation detection sensor 61 is provided on the drive output shaft to the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R of the drive transmission case 6, which transmits the driving force of the electric motor 3 at a variable speed, and a planting rotation detection sensor is provided on the planting output shaft to the planting device 20 and supply device 30 of the planting transmission case 8, which transmits the driving force of the planting electric motor 4 at a variable speed.

[0049] The auxiliary batteries 5L and 5R are located on the upper surface above the left and right drive casings 11L and 11R. Figures 1 and 2 show the left side, but the right side also has an auxiliary battery 5R in a symmetrical position.

[0050] There is also an auxiliary battery 5S behind the seat 43 of the work vehicle 100, which can be used to replace the battery 5 if its capacity decreases. However, it is not easy to change batteries during work. In addition, the auxiliary battery stand 41 that holds the auxiliary battery 5S is sometimes used as a temporary stand when workers replenish new seedlings at the edge of the field, so although it can be used as an auxiliary battery 5S, it is also an effective method to secure space for it to be used as a general-purpose temporary stand.

[0051] In this case, a storage area for a fixed auxiliary battery is required. In the configuration of this operation, even if there is rotation of each component of the work vehicle or body control such as turning, the area that remains empty is the area above the left and right case bodies 11L and 11R. Therefore, by utilizing this area, a storage area for a fixed auxiliary battery can be secured. However, there are also limitations when options are equipped. In the work vehicle implemented in this case, water is supplied to the seedling planting body 21 during planting to improve the flow and improve both planting performance and establishment. The left and right irrigation tank frames 60L and 60R must be secured in the area above the left and right case bodies 11L and 11R as storage frames for this water supply tank. Below these left and right irrigation tank frames 60L and 60R, within the space area above the movable left and right case bodies 11L and 11R, the auxiliary batteries 5L and 5R can be positioned symmetrically to secure a storage location for a fixed auxiliary battery.

[0052] Although this work vehicle 100 is driven by an electric motor 3, it can also be powered by a conventional internal combustion engine or other internal combustion engine. In such cases, it is desirable that the control unit 70 be able to perform multiple operations using a single lever.

[0053] Especially with vehicles powered by electric motors, while it's possible to switch them on and off, simultaneously switching multiple switches on and off is highly prone to malfunction. Therefore, it's necessary to improve operability by integrating the on / off function of switches into the movement of an operating lever.

[0054] The operation will be explained in Figures 3, 5, and 6. The operating lever 71 performs four types of operations with a single lever: switching the forward and backward movement of the work vehicle 100, turning the planting device 20 on and off, a high-speed movement mode for travel only, and vehicle height adjustment.

[0055] The operating lever 71 performs two actions using a single lever: moving the entire lever back and forth, and rotating the grip portion 72 of the lever.

[0056] The operation involves two parallel front and rear operation lines: a work line 73A for planting 73 and reversing 74, and a travel line 75A that stops the planting section and allows only forward travel 75. By passing through the neutral line 73B of the travel neutral section, the work line 73A and the travel line 75A can be switched depending on the operating position of the lever 71.

[0057] The grip portion 72 can be rotated by applying rotational force to the lever 71 in the left-right direction, thereby enabling the operation of the rear left and right electric cylinders 13L and 13R, which are used to change the vehicle height of the work vehicle as described above. The grip portion 72 is equipped with a safety switch 72S, and the grip portion cannot be rotated unless rotational force is applied while pressing this safety switch, thus preventing accidental contact with the grip portion and subsequent changes in vehicle height.

[0058] In this embodiment, as described above, when the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R rotate forward in the direction of work and the rear vehicle height rises, the left and right front wheels 9L and 9R rotate backward in the direction of work and the rear vehicle height falls. This control is intended for turning. However, by changing the combined positions of the left and right drive rear wheels and the left and right front wheels and connecting them with links, it is possible to control the vehicle height to be raised or lowered at both the front and rear.

[0059] When the work vehicle 100 is stopped, it is in a neutral position, with lever 71 at position 71C and grip portion 72 facing grip portion 72C. In this position, the current vehicle height is fixed, and the motor rotation is either stopped in a standby state or at a low speed, but the power transmission within the drive transmission case 6 is interrupted.

[0060] Next, when performing planting work, press the safety switch 72S on the handle and rotate the handle to adjust the vehicle height to suit the planting height. The vehicle height is adjusted by the angle of rotation of the handle, and when the safety switch 72S on the handle is released at the appropriate position, the handle is fixed and the vehicle height is maintained.

[0061] The operation of the planting machine 73 will now be explained. Moving the lever 71 to lever position 71F starts forward movement and planting. There is a partition between lever position 71C and lever position 71F. Moving the lever from lever position 71C towards 71F starts movement, and pushing the lever further forward to lever position 71F starts planting. While the lever 71 is moving along the work line 73A, it is also possible to rotate the grip part 72 at the same time. Once you become familiar with the operation, you can press the safety switch 72 and move the lever 71 to the forward position 71F while rotating it forward to grip position 72F, so that you can adjust the vehicle height, move forward, and start planting with only the force of pushing forward.

[0062] Let's explain the reverse function 74. Moving lever 71 to lever position 71B stops both reverse movement and planting. As previously explained, there is a partition between lever position 71F and lever position 71C. If you pull the lever even slightly from 71F to 71C, planting will stop. After that, the vehicle will stop moving at lever position 71C, and when you move it to lever position 71B, reverse movement will begin. When reversing, if there is no problem with the current vehicle height, it is possible to reverse with the grip part 72F in position. However, if you want to change the vehicle height before reversing, you must change the vehicle height by pressing the safety clutch 72S and rotating the position of the grip part to reverse.

[0063] In this embodiment, when reversing in a straight line on a straight ridge, there is no problem even if the vehicle height is set to the planting height when reversing. The present invention is mainly designed for cases where turning is required at the edge of the ridge when reversing. In this case, by setting the grip position to 72B, the state changes from Figure 6(a) to Figure 6(b). The left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R turn to the rear side relative to the direction of work, and the rear part rises. The component configuration in Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b) is the same, and the movement is compared by indicating A and B at the end of the reference numerals. The left case body 11La moves to the left case body 11Lb due to the extension and retraction of the left electric cylinder 13L mentioned above, link 17La moves to link 17b, and link 18a moves to link 18b. Due to this link movement, the left front wheel 9La moves to 9Lb, and if the operator holds the position of the operating lever, the front wheel will be lifted off the field. With the left and right drive rear wheels 7L and 7R in contact with the ground, and the left and right front wheels lifted off the ground, the vehicle performs a reverse turn.

[0064] Subsequently, the lever 71 is moved in the direction of planting 73, stopped at the partitioned section between lever position 71F and lever position 71C, and the machine enters a state of not planting while moving forward, turning forward and entering the adjacent furrow.

[0065] In this operation, the operator fixes the height of the control handle 2, which raises the height of the front wheels from Ha to Hi, thereby lifting the front wheels off the ground and improving turning ability.

[0066] After turning, once the machine enters the desired furrow, press the safety switch 72S. When it reaches the 72C position, the vehicle height will gradually decrease, and when it moves to the grip position 72F, the vehicle height will be suitable for planting. The machine returns to the shape shown in Figure 6(a) from Figure 6(i).

[0067] Other configurations are shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(d). The operation of lever 71 is the same, but if it is positioned to extend forward on the vehicle in a symmetrical relationship with the left drive rear wheel 7Lc, as in the left front wheel 9Lc, it becomes possible to configure both the front and rear wheels to raise (Hc ⇒ HI) or lower (HI ⇒ Hc).

[0068] This configuration is effective when the primary purpose is ride height adjustment.

[0069] Returning to the explanation of Figures 6(a) and 6(b), moving the lever from 71C to 71F starts the vehicle's movement, and pushing the lever further forward to the lever position 71F starts planting. While the lever 71 moves along the work line 73A, it is also possible to rotate the grip portion 72 simultaneously. Once the operator becomes familiar with the operation, they can press the safety switch 72 and move the lever 71 to the forward position 71F while rotating it forward to the grip portion position 72F. This allows for vehicle height adjustment, forward movement, and planting to begin using only forward pushing force.

[0070] Figure 5 illustrates the driving operation. This driving operation 75 is for driving only without planting, and the vehicle speed is high, so it is used for moving between fields and between rows. The lever 71 passes through the neutral line 73B and enters the driving line 75A. Moving the lever to 75F enables driving only. In this case, the vehicle may be driven with the grip section 72C as shown in Figure 5(c), or with the grip section 72B and the front wheels lifted as shown in Figure 5(d).

[0071] By changing the position of the grip portion 72 to 72F, 72C, and 72B in this way, the relationship between the grip portion and the front and rear wheels can be changed to the configurations shown in (a) to (d) of Figure 6. While it is possible to change the relationship depending on the combination of front and rear wheels, in any case, the operability is improved by incorporating the vehicle height adjustment mechanism into the lever for changing the driving method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 11 cases 12 arms 13 Electric Cylinder 14 Support 17 links 18 links 71 Lever 72 Grip section 73A Workline 73B Neutral Line 75A Running Line

Claims

1. A work vehicle in which four types of operations are performed with a single lever (71): switching the forward and backward movement of the work vehicle (100), turning the planting device (20) on and off, a high-speed movement mode for travel only, and vehicle height adjustment.

2. The extension and retraction of the left and right electric cylinders (13L) and (13R) of the rear wheels causes the left and right drive rear wheels (7L) and (7R) to rotate around the rear wheel rotation axis (11M), resulting in an upward movement of the vehicle height. Rotational power is transmitted to links (18L) and (17L), causing the left and right support members (14L) and (14R) to rotate. As a result, the left and right front wheels (9L) and (9R) rotate around the front wheel axle (14M), while the left and right drive rear wheels (7L) and (7R) rotate in the opposite direction, causing the left and right front wheels (9L) and (9R) to rise towards the ground. A work vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The work vehicle according to claims 1 and 2, wherein auxiliary batteries (5L) and (5R) are provided symmetrically in the spatial area above the movable left and right case bodies (11L) and (11R) below the left and right irrigation tank frames (60L) and (60R).

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